Rafael van der Vaart suggests Arsenal are being ‘found out’ and ‘showing signs of slipping up’

Tottenham hero Rafael van der Vaart believes Arsenal are ‘showing signs of slipping up’ in the Premier League title race and feels they are starting to lose their control over matches.

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The Gunners host second-placed Manchester City on Wednesday evening with the opportunity to go six points clear of their closest challengers with a game in hand.

Mikel Arteta’s side had been in imperious form in the first half of the season, though they have failed to win in their last three matches – a defeat to City in the FA Cup, a 1-0 loss away to struggling Everton and then a controversial 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.

Van der Vaart is starting to suspect that his old north London rivals might be running out of steam and feels the mental toll of a title race on Arsenal’s young squad could be a decisive factor.

‘I think Arsenal are showing signs of slipping up,’ Van der Vaart told Ladbrokes: Fanzone.

‘First of all I have to say Mikel Arteta is doing a fantastic job, and he’s brought some much-needed stability back to that club. The players love him and this is a result of all of those things coming together.

‘But most of those guys aren’t used to the pressure that comes with a title race. That’s what they’re feeling now.

‘They’ve had a run of games now without winning, and Manchester City have closed the gap. I just don’t think they’re the same anymore. Maybe I’m totally wrong; this is just my feeling.

‘If Manchester City and United can keep up their form, then I think it’s going to be really close at the end of the season between all three teams.

‘Would I go as far as to say Arsenal have been found out a little? Maybe. I think the biggest shock at the beginning of the season was just how they played; they